New member looking for 100 series for under $15k

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M

mayz

10 Year
Joined
Oct 25, 2014
Threads
6
Messages
18
Location
Orleans ,MA
Hello, I'm a new member looking for a LC for under $15k. I live in Mass. and found a 2002 with 125k miles for $14.5k at a small independent dealer off the beaten path. (Very nice people). Read the car fax and it was bought and maintained in NY for 36k miles then went to FLA. where there is not much service info before ending up 20 miles from my house. Not sure if timing belt has been replaced. Looking for advice, as I am not terribly mechanical and this will be a 2nd car for us. Not sure how to do a pre-purchase inspection. Do I bring it to a nearby Toyota dealer? How do I get the seller to agree?
There is also a nice 2002 LC with 119K for $15.5k but is located 220 miles from me. Private seller, 2nd owner who says it has very good history. Again, not sure about timing belt etc. looks nice in pics, not sure how to look at /buy a car 200 miles away without wasting my/their time . Obviously we can drive to them…looking for much needed advice...
 
In our neck of the woods, rust is the primary concern. Tail gate clam shell on top by the handle is a typical trouble area and easy for you to see. If there's rust there, there will be more where you can't see so easily. If the seller is a dealer, it's easy to ask them to let you take the vehicle to another garage for an independent PPI. A specialist that knows these trucks best would be ideal, but I don't know of any on the Cape. So, I would find a reputable local garage where you will be allowed to look at the underside of the vehicle while up on the lift (Toyota dealer won't let you do this).

You may want to consider a 2003+ for the 5sp tranny, a more modern interior, Nav, rear view cam, etc. It took me a long time to find my 2003 and I had to travel to Newport to get it, but it was worth the wait and the drive! Good luck - these are well engineered trucks!
 
Do you plan to wheel with this truck or just use as daily driver/grocery getter?
 
Thanks for the help. Not much off-loading planned, but would like to drive it to and on the beach.I also found a 2003 LX470 up in Needham with a few small body rust issues, however he has changed the timing belt and has the new AHC suspension kit but has not had time to install. He's asking $10.9k and it has 140k miles .
 
The reason I asked is that only 98 & 99 had locker package, later models have only Atrac. Fine for sand and snow but not for class 4 (unimproved) New England roads. Not a fan of LX version at all, AHC is for soccer shuttle trucks ;)

Price seems in the norm. New timing belt is a big plus. Find out what else they did too, not so obvious things like new starter can be worth a lot.
 
mayz said:
oops I mean a 2000 LX470...
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Keep in mind that in 2007 I paid $11,000 for a 1999 with 121K on it. That was a very good deal, I think it was worth about $13K but guy was desperate to sell. Dealer was only offering $7K NE UZJ100s do not bring as much as in other regions of US.
 
To OP, timing belt/water pump replacement is a $800-1000 job, so don't let that be a dealbreaker if the price is right otherwise. Agree that 2003+ with 5sp and other goodies is nice, but will be reflected in higher prices north of $15k. 2002 model year is likely your sweet spot. While a rust-free/low rust model is ideal, again I would not let that be a dealbreaker. After a few years of NE driving, it will wind up with rust regardless and these things last a long time. Nice to see another local member on the board. There don't seem to be very many of us! Good luck with your search and eventual purchase!
 
Would make you a hero if you bought mine. 99, 153,000 miles, OME, ARB, Ham Radio, CB radio, winch, maintenance better than any, rear locker, Nitto 295's, immaculate condition from all aspects. New brakes, cv boots, all Amsoil in everything. SOR seat protectors. Too much to list. Have a spread sheet listing parts, maintenance and dates for those that might be anal. New battery yesterday. No issues at all.
 
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jemsec said:
Would make you a hero if you bought mine. 99, 153,000 miles, OME, ARB, Ham Radio, CB radio, winch, maintenance better than any, rear locker, Nitto 295's, immaculate condition from all aspects. New brakes, cv boots, all Amsoil in everything. SOR seat protectors. Too much to list before deleted. New battery yesterday. No issues at all.
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You're selling, John?? What gives?!
 
wouldn't mind those SOR's if you're separating...vultures. :confused:

Sounds like a hell of a nice set up as well, if he is serious, and you are serious, you should give Alabama heavy thought. Nothing like definitive, good/precise service history, almost makes the miles (in general) irrelevant. You could have a very nice first road trip up the blue ridge and other nice back roads.
 
mayz said:
Thanks for the help. Not much off-loading planned, but would like to drive it to and on the beach.I also found a 2003 LX470 up in Needham with a few small body rust issues, however he has changed the timing belt and has the new AHC suspension kit but has not had time to install. He's asking $10.9k and it has 140k miles .
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If there's "small body rust issues" the underside is likely worse so I wouldn't waste the trip to Needham. Also, as much as I like the goodies on the LX, it's not worth the trouble of the AHC and the cost to replace it with conventional suspension. I'm planning on taking my LC out on the beach in Ptown next year so hope you get one!
 
So , it sounds like I should stay way from the LX? My wife will be happy, I don't think she wants the stigma of driving a Lexus.
If the timing belt is not a deal breaker then I will definitely give the 2002 with 125k miles in Hyannis another look. Any tips for finding a shop to perform an inspection?? There are many small auto repair shops near this dealer, I will make some calls later today.
John, do you have more pics of yours?
 
heck Id part with mine for that kind of money its a 99 with rear locker and arb front bumper, opor sliders, Baja rack, and 2'' lift, diff drop new Toyota cv axles, o2 sensors and a brand new set of bfg ko allterrains I haven't even mounted yet. 14.5k ZERO rust and owned by the local Toyota dealership owner for majority of its life so has ALL the records
 
lhommec13 said:
You're selling, John?? What gives?!
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Took a job with a large construction company and come home about once a month. Working five hours from home and don't want it to sit and rot. Just replaced the battery Saturday due to it draining too may times before it died. Thought about selling and buying another when I come back home for good in a year or two. Its been driven about 100 miles in the last six months and changed the oil.

My wife, after complaining about it, said to keep it. Not sure what would be best. Sell or keep. It lives in my garage as it has all it's life.
 
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mayz said:
Why are you guys from Al. trying to dump your LC's?
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Dumping describes a low, low price and mine is not in that category. If a good offer is not received it will live just fine in my garage for a long time.
 
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